The Irish Sea separates Great Britain and the island of Ireland. The sea has been a significant trade and communications barrier between the two islands for centuries as there is no fixed crossing across it. In 2013, 7.6 megatons of trade was handled between British and Irish ports, and ferry crossings remain the most important link for heavy goods vehicles. Ferry services have continued to be significant, and 3.6 million passengers use these annually.[1]

The main operators across the Irish Sea are P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, Stena Line and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. [2]

Current

This transport-related list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (October 2021)
Image East side West side Operator Year opened Year closed Notes
Ardrossan Larne P&O Irish Sea (until 2001) 2001 Moved to Troon
Troon Larne P&O Ferries (2001-2016)
Seacat Scotland (1999-2004) 		1999 2016[3]
Cairnryan Belfast Stena Line 2011[4]
Cairnryan Larne P&O Ferries 1973
Stranraer Belfast Stena Line (1995-2011)
Seacat Scotland (1992-2000) 		1992 2011[4]
Stranraer Larne Stena Line 1861[5] 1995
Heysham Belfast Stena Line
Heysham Warrenpoint Seatruck Ferries 1996
Heysham Dublin Seatruck Ferries
Liverpool Dublin P&O Ferries
Seatruck Ferries
Birkenhead Belfast Stena Line 2002[6]
Mostyn Dublin P&O Irish Sea 2001 2004
Holyhead Dublin Irish Ferries
Stena Line (1995-present) 		1848[7][better source needed]
Holyhead Dún Laoghaire Stena Line 1848[8] 2014
Fishguard Rosslare Stena Line
Pembroke Dock Rosslare Irish Ferries
Liverpool Pier Head Dublin/Belfast/Douglas Isle of Man Steam Packet

Historic

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2020)

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Aughey, Arthur; Oakland, John (2013). Irish Civilization: An Introduction. Routledge. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-317-67850-2.
  2. ^ "Londonderry and Northern Ireland with Van the Man". The Guardian. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  3. ^ "P&O Ferries: Larne to Troon route to close with immediate effect". BBC News. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Stranraer harbour bids farewell to ferries". BBC News. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  5. ^ Cowsill, Miles (1998). Stranraer-Larne The Car Ferry Era. Ferry Publications. p. 4. ISBN 1871947405.
  6. ^ "Liverpool Birkenhead". Freightlink. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  7. ^ "History of Holyhead Port". holyhead.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  8. ^ Cowsill, Miles; Hendy, John (1996). Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire From Car Ferry to HSS. Ferry Publications. p. 2. ISBN 1871947383.

Bibliography

  • Cowsill, Miles (1987). Sealink British Ferries to Ireland. Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire: M. Cowsill. ISBN 9781906608644. OCLC 560725076.
  • Cowsill, Miles (1998). Stranraer–Larne: The Car Ferry Era. Narberth, Pembrokeshire: Ferry Publications. ISBN 1871947405.
  • Cowsill, Miles; Hendy, John (1996). Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire: From Car Ferry to HSS 1965-1996. Narberth, Pembrokeshire: Ferry Publications. ISBN 1871947383.
  • Cowsill, Miles; Hislip, Gordon (2016). Ferries of the Irish Sea: across four decades. Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN 9781906608644.
  • Liddle, L.H. (1994). "Passenger steamers on the Irish Sea 1919-39". Journal of the Irish Railway Record Society. 18: 123 (Feb.), pp. 314-321, 124 (June), pp. 378-387. ISBN 9781906608644. OCLC 841920277.
  • Liddle, Laurence (1998). Passenger Ships of the Irish Sea: 1919-1969. Newtownards, County Down: Colourpoint Books. ISBN 1898392307.
  • Merrigan, Justin (2004). Car Ferries of the Irish Sea 1954-2004. Newtownards, County Down: Colourpoint Books. ISBN 1904242251.
  • Merrigan, Justin (2016). Dun Laoghaire Holyhead 1826–2015: The rise and decline of Ireland's premier route. Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN 9781906608828.
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